These free online courses or MOOCs (massive open on-line courses) teach quantum mechanics to anyone with a reasonable college-level understanding of physical science or engineering. They presume no prior knowledge of quantum mechanics and offer a progressive course sequence up to an intermediate to advanced college level, including modern topics of growing practical interest. They start by introducing Schroedinger's equation, and proceed through topics like the hydrogen atom, the quantum mechanics of crystalline materials, spin and identical particles, the quantum mechanics of light, quantum information, and the interpretation of quantum mechanics. These classes are currently planned to restart in the Autumn of 2015.

Are optical transistors the next logical step?A transistor that operates with photons rather than electrons is often heralded as the next step in information processing, but optical technology must first prove itself to be a viable solution in many different respects. This article is a Commentary written for Nature Photonics, January 2010.

Quantum Mechanics Book

This introductory quantum mechanics text is now being published by Cambridge University Press. It is
intended both for physicists and for those from other
scientific and engineering disciplines, including electrical
and mechanical engineering, materials science, and
nanotechnology. The level of presentation is suitable for
junior undergraduates through graduate students to technical
professionals. Requirements for both physics and math are
minimized, and the necessary background in these areas is
summarized in appendices. Core topics are covered, the quantum
mechanics for key areas of application in electronic and
optical devices is explained, and advanced techniques and
areas, such as the quantum mechanics of light and quantum
information, are introduced.This is the textbook for both the EE222 and EE223 (Applied Quantum Mechanics I & II) classes at Stanford.

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Device requirements for optical interconnects to chipsThis invited paper for the July 2009 Special Issue on Silicon Photonics in the Proceedings of the IEEE discusses the targets and requirements for optoelectronics and optical devices if they are to meet the needs of future interconnects to chips. Energy per bit is particularly important, with 10 fJ/bit being a key device benchmark. The various approaches to optical and optoelectronic devices and technology are summarized and compared.

Nanometallic-enhanced photodetectorsWe have demonstrated that nanometallic structures can enhance photodetection, promising very low capacitance optoelectronic devices compatible in size with CMOS transistors. A nanoscale C-shaped aperture in a metal can enhance the photocurrent in the semiconductor beneath it, and recently an optical analog of a Hertz dipole antenna concentrates light to a ~ 100 nm sized germanium detector element on a silicon substrate.